The 2018-2019 PIAA wrestling season is over. After qualifying six wrestlers for the 2019 PIAA State Wrestling Championships, the Panthers leave Hershey with four place-winners. It is the first time ever that Saucon Valley had four medalists on the PIAA podium in the same season. Josh Jones (1st, 132), Matt Arciuolo (3rd, 160), Thomas Spirk (8th, 138) and Nick Rosengrant (8th, 145) all proudly and courageously represented Panther Nation on their 2019 journey through Hershey.

“This is great, this is what you want, this is what you work for,” Shirk said when asked about putting four wrestlers on the PIAA podium. “I am so happy for these kids. It is great to see all of their hard work pay off in arguably the toughest high school state wrestling tournament in the country. It is very fulfilling.”

Panther Flashbacks!

In 1976, the Saucon Valley Panthers placed three wrestlers on the PIAA podium in big-time style. Jim Zenz (105), Rick Rodriguez (145) and Jerry Rodriguez (167) were all crowned State Champs!

Senior Josh Jones led the Panthers all the way through the 2018-19 season. Jones certainly qualifies as a highly-decorated wrestler and is committed to continue his athletic and academic career at George Mason University. He also received tons of interest from Rutgers, NC State and others. Many schools certainly took notice of Josh’s talent and work ethic and it is only fitting that he ends his high school career on top with a PIAA gold medal. Jones has “champion” written all over him!

Pd. 1: Jones scored first with an early single-leg takedown and rode Varndell tough the remainder of the period for a 2-0 lead.

Pd: 2: Jones deferred and Varndell chose to start bottom. Jones got a quick turn with a bar-tilt for three near-fall points. Varndell was able to escape. Most of the remainder of the second period was wrestled from their feet, but Jones was able to counter a Varndel leg-shot and get behind him for a takedown to close the period with a 7-1 lead.

Pd. 3: Jones started the final period on top and controlled Varndell until about halfway through the period. Varndell was able to reverse Jones with just under a minute remaining. Varndell did come close once to locking up a cradle, but for the most part, Jones was never really in any trouble. Josh Jones is, forever, a PIAA champion!

Saucon Valley senior Josh Jones in a very familiar place during the 2019 PIAA championship final.

Panther junior Matt Arciuolo gets in deep on a shot in the PIAA 3rd Place consolation final.

Pd. 1: Thirty seconds in, from his feet, Arciuolo cleared Stoltzfus’ hands, shot in on a single-leg and converted for a 2-0 lead. Almost immediately, Arciuolo cut Stoltzfus to close out the first period with a 2-1 score.

Pd. 2: Arciuolo deferred his choice and Stoltzfus chose the top position. Stoltzfus was able to get legs in and aggressively ride Arciuolo. It was very close, but Arciuolo fought off the attacks and refused to be turned. After a little blood-time and injury-time ticked away, Arciuolo held on to his 2-1 lead.

Pd. 3: With his choice, Arciuolo chose to go neutral and compete on his feet. Almost one minute into the 3rd, Arciuolo got in deep on a shot that led to a scramble. Panther fans held their breath. But, when the dust cleared the wrestlers were back on their feet and neutral. With about thirty seconds remaining, Arciuolo gave a little too much ground and was given a stalling warning. After a little injury-time for what appeared to be an Arciuolo ankle injury, the wrestlers restarted with about 25 seconds left. The two hand-fought, faked and battled. With about four seconds left, Stoltzfus looked secure a head-lock. However, Arciuolo fought it off just long enough. As time expired, Arciuolo was thrown to his back, but it was too late. Arciuolo held on for his 2-1 victory to finish in 3rd Place.

Stoltzfus was very physical on top, but Arciuolo was a warrior with his defense.

Pd. 1: Halfway through the opening period, Spirk was able to convert a single-leg takedown at the edge of the mat. After the restart, Spirk used a bar-tilt to turn Duvall as time ran off the clock, but there just wasn’t enough time. Spirk led 2-0.

Pd. 2: Duvall won the toss and opted to go down. After an early escape, Duvall high-crotched Spirk for a takedown to take a 3-2 advantage. After a restart, Duvall was able to turn Spirk with a ball-and-chain for three near-fall points. At the end of the second period Duvall led 6-2.

Pd. 3: Spirk chose neutral and went on the attack. Spirk shot immediately and both wrestlers crashed to the mat. After a 30-second scramble Spirk was able to get his two and close the deficit to 6-4. With one minute remaining, Spirk cut Duvall to make it 7-4. Once again, Spirk attacked and was able to take Duvall down. With about 30 seconds left in the match Spirk trailed 7-6. With a fresh restart, Spirk cut Duvall loose and then trailed 8-6. With 20 seconds remaining, Spirk was able to get behind Duvall and tie the score 8-8. However, Duvall slipped out of Spirk’s grasp with five ticks left on the clock to win 9-8.

Spirk converted the late takedown to tie the score, but could not hold on for the win.

Pd. 1: Rosengrant and Haubert spent the entire opening period on their feet hand-fighting and feeling each other out. The score was 0-0 at the end of the first period.

Pd. 2: Rosengrant had choice and opted to go under Haubert and only five seconds in was awarded an escape point. About 30 seconds later while the wrestlers were tied-up, Haubert was able to scoop Rosengrant’s left leg and convert the takedown. Haubert held on the rest of the way with a 2-1 lead.

Pd. 3: With his choice, Haubert opted to go down. Rosengrant rode Haubert tough, but was not able to get a turn. It was a 2-1 final in favor of Haubert. Haubert was the 2018 State Champ at 145.

Nancy J. Gerencser, 80, of Hellertown, died Saturday, March 16, 2019 at Saucon Valley Manor, Hellertown. She was the wife of the late Frank J. Gerencser.

About Saucon Source

Saucon Source is an independent local news website covering the greater Saucon Valley area in eastern Pennsylvania, including Hellertown and Lower Saucon Township. The site is updated daily with posts about everything from high school sports to traffic alerts to breaking news. More than just a news website, Saucon Source is a grassroots community resource in which many local residents are active participants and supporters. Want to learn more? Email josh@sauconsource.com.